savedtheworld | Book 6: When the Well is Dry [Voice/Action

[It started off as another ordinary day for Aang. After firebending with Zuko, he headed up to the other Avatar House for Airbending training with Tenzin and the kids. But he arrived to find only Jinora. There was no sign of Tenzin; his room was as bare as Suki's had been. Aang knew what that meant. He felt that there was so much he could learn from his elder son, but that time was over. At least he could take care of his family... except that Jinora was still here. Looking over the blankness of the room... his heart tightened as he went to check the other absence.

Jinora had told him that she woke up alone in the room that she shared with Ikki. He checked her bed and found only the prayer beads that he had given to her. He gripped them tightly as he exited the room and crumpled onto the floor outside the door, as he did after Suki had left, but this time he felt so much more crushed. He knew he should feel happy for her. Ikki was just a child, and she was going back to her family before this place could do something horrible to her. But he felt so much emptier without the other Airbender around. Unlike with Suki... Aang already knew that he would never meet her. Yesterday was the last time he'd see her, and he wasn't able to give her a last goodbye. There was so much he still wanted to tell Ikki and teach her.

Is this how Gyatso felt?

No, it wasn't the same. Gyatso couldn't have had any idea that Aang was alive after he ran away. But Aang knew that Ikki was still alive back home, safe and sound. Korra had saved the day. With his grip still bearing the prayer beads, he made a prayer that she had found her way home safely, and that their family would be okay. That things really were on the road to peace back home. And he reflected on their times together... first meeting at the fountain, bending her nightmares away, reading her beautiful drawings, watching her antics at Katara's birthday, getting lemonade with her from the Pokemon trainers, introducing her to Moro and cheering her on at the volleyball game... Ikki had been the first person he met from the future, the one who had first told him everything about this beautiful family. If it weren't for Jinora staying... he'd be left wondering if any of it was really real.

He took some time to try to comfort Jinora, despite how overwhelmed he felt. He was possibly accosted by any of the remaining housemates as he left, but he eventually bolted off and spent most of the day sailing aimlessly on Appa. No adventure this time, just an escape.

There was still something he knew he had to do. He thought about all of Ikki's friends, and he opened his journal with trembling fingers, before he started to record a message. He only took the foresight to filter it from Jinora, so that she would be spared any further pain.]

[Voice / Filtered from Jinora]

Ikki has gone home. A lot of you know have known her by now, so I... I thought you should all know. She wasn't here for long, but she made so many friends. Out of all the people I know she's met here, there wasn't one person who she didn't like. That's the kind of person she is.

She didn't go alone, either. Her f-father Tenzin has also gone back to take care of the family. We... we should be glad that Ikki was sent home before this place could really hurt her. I know that she has a loving family waiting back home. And a... a wise and kind father who has gone with her. It's where they belong. From what I know of the future... they're going back to a happy time. I just want to thank all of you who listened to her and gave her a chance as a friend, and to ask you to just remember her... okay? [In case I get sent home and back again and forget all this.] I didn't know her for long, a-and I may never get to meet her back home, but I know she's going to be a great Airbender, and I'm already proud of her. She earned the title of Avatar princess without even trying and I miss her already.

Her older sister Jinora is still here. The only person left... from [my] that family, and I hope that you show her the same kindness you showed Ikki.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Sweet. How about you meet there... ehh, let's say tomorrow afternoon, around two.

[The edge can be heard clearly and at this point Tarrlok can only roll his eyes off the camera. Not like he wasn't expecting something like that.]

Amon should be neutralized and Republic City can rebuild from there. I'm sure Tenzin in particular will take control of the council in my absence.

[Even if he doesn't like to think about it - he has no idea of his own future beyond a prison gate. And if anyone knows what happens to him, they haven't been keen on sharing it.]

[He continues on quietly and hesitantly.]

That's a nice time, Shikamaru. I'll s-seeya then.

[He feels like he could have gotten to know Tenzin so much better, but he knew enough to have faith that the city would be in good hands with him in charge. He still can't shake a paranoid feeling that there's still danger out there - what's the situation in the other nations? What if there's other threats leftover from mistakes he'll make in the future.]

Yeah, I have heard stuff like that. You can never predict the way the winds blow, but... I'll still have faith that things will be better for all of them.

[He knew the basics which Katara had heard through Asami, but he had no idea of what had happened to Tarrlok after all that mess happened. But it's easy for him to assume he was just arrested in the aftermath. Unless... that one weird rumor he heard...?]

[And he's back. So there's no going back now. It's been a rough month, full of disappointments and let-downs and fits of how it all isn't fair, but one thing she is absolutely certain of.

She won't run away this time.]

You're back.

[She slowly stands.]

[He stands still, numb from the day's events, looking on warily. He can't get himself to put up a strong front.]

I'm... I'm back.

Sure thing.

[See you then, Aang.

The day gives some buffer, see. Shikamaru knows what it's like when someone goes home, when you have everyone wanting to check on you at once. They can still talk, but after that... well, sometimes you just want a break.

So he'll be waiting next day at two, leaning against the building.]

[It is a welcome consideration, and with some breathing room after whatever conversations occurred on the first day... he makes his way towards the Battle Dome. His mood isn't really very lifted; when he woke up and remembered that they were already gone, he had felt crushed again.

But still, when he sees Shikamaru, he makes a slight smile.]

Hey.

Of course.

[Luke just nods, and closes his journal, if Aang wants to talk, he's welcome to it.]

I could try that.

[Roku heard the message, but he decided not to say anything right then. He can talk to Aang when he gets back with Appa. Roku will be found on the roof of the house, laying on his back and watching the sky above him, thinking. Thinking about the people leaving, the far future these people came from, how his own time was basically ancient history compare to everyone else at this point, Aang-

...what could he really say to Aang on this?]

She must mean a great deal to you. More than you can perhaps talk about.

I know she wasn't here for very long, but maybe you could plant something in her honor in the garden.

Thanks, Korra. I really appreciate your efforts. And... and everything you've done and will do for my family.

Yeah, that... I think that's something she'd like. Thanks, Mia. That's a great idea.

[Aang figures that landing on the roof might be a good way to sneak into his room discreetly. But he doesn't quite notice the other Avatar resting there. Appa will still make sure not to crush Roku, even if just narrowly.]

[Man, this is some cloud obscuring the sun.

...Wait.] Whoa! Appa, wait- [He's sliding out of harms way and just looking flabbergasted by Appa's sudden decision to land on the roof. He was nearly Avatar pancake there!]

[He comes down from Appa and, the moment he heard Roku calling out, it was clear that his attempt at sneaking by was already a failure. He meekly waved towards the Avatar.]

Oh, hey Roku. S-sorry.

Right...you're right. [She knew Ikki well enough to know he's right about that.] You know, maybe we should plant something in the memory garden for her. Would you like that?

I would, and she would, too. She really liked stuff like flowers.

[Aang wasn't quite ready to seek out comfort yet. He was afraid of having to face his friends about it. But the next day, he was feeling a little more willing to talk to people - or at least seek out their company. And Luke's words about a lost father weighed on him... so he later found himself softly knocking at Luke's door.]

[She doesn't come any closer. Not yet. Not before she knows more about how he's feeling. She doesn't want to rush into things.]

What now?

[The door opens on its own, Luke standing a few feet away with two fingers outstretched, beckoning Aang inside]

Hello Aang. Please, come in. I...will prepare some tea. I've got a feeling you're not here to throw pies.

Ih... Ikki? [That little girl who came to his house? She was so young... they... they take away anyone...]

[It's been a rough day. Jinora's been trying to keep a brave face. But waking up to a half empty room and no sister. Plus finding her father gone, hit her hard. Even Oogi was gone. It's like they were never here.

She's glad for Aang's comfort. While Korra and Asami may have tried, or at least Asami may have. They weren't that great with handling a kid. So tonight the avatar house has one extra occupant. She can be found in the spare room that night. Though she's not asleep. At the moment she's mediating, or at least trying.]

[He bows his head in shame, his hands still tightly gripping the prayer beads that Ikki had worn everywhere.]

It's... it's like we talked about. She's gone and I couldn't do anything, and it's like she w-was never here.

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Book 6: When the Well is Dry [Voice/Action - Dated to 08/19]

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